The Just Transition Declaration aims to make climate action fair. Praxis Directors, working as University of Bristol researchers, held conversations between Bristolians about how the Declaration impacts them in different ways, to build bridges over division.
Community activists created the Just Transition Declaration so that the move towards net zero in Bristol centres marginalised people, and is fair for everyone. Conversations about how to make changes fair are often spaces of deep vulnerability, and can result in polarisation and grief. Finding a way to make sure these conversations are productive and people feel understood is crucial to making sure we can achieve a Just Transition.
The Just Transition Declaration presents 10 key principles for taking action on climate change.
Jack, Emilia, and the Just Transition Declaration authors tried a way of discussion called the Democratic Listening Circles, which is focused on holding space for disagreement in shared humanity. They ran two Listening Circles: one circle with Hartcliffe residents and one circle with people from organisations who adopted the Just Transition early on.
This project was carried out by Praxis directors as University of Bristol researchers. It was funded by seedcorn funding from the Cabot Institute for the Environment.
The organisers designed the Circle using the Way of Council, inspired by Quaker and indigenous traditions. The principles of the Way of the Council are:
Speak from the heart
Listen from the heart
Say just enough
Be spontaneous
In line with these principles, the attendees spoke about what they wanted to in the moment without content being directed by the organisers, which meant they could raise the topics that mattered most to them.
The Democratic Listening Circles also agreed to confidentiality. No one took notes or recorded the conversation, they just listened to each other. That way, everyone could be vulnerable and tell their truth, knowing they were respected by everyone else. Jack, Emilia and the Just Transition Declaration authors wrote down the themes of the Circles afterwards.
In their Listening Circle, some Hartcliffe residents spoke about their experiences of exclusion and isolation. They discussed the importance of transport as a method of autonomy and safety. Residents spoke about the importance of hope and trust, created by strong, long-term relationship-building. They want their input to have impact, and for organisations to do what they say they will.
The listening circles were held in local spaces.
The Circle with early adopters of the Declaration discussed balances in their Listening Circle. Achieving a Just Transition means working within systems and challenging them. Doing both at the same time is often very complicated. They spoke about the difficulty balancing acting on behalf of their organisation and as an individual, with experiences and emotions.
In these Circles, the most important thing was that people listened to each other. Members felt safe to tell the truth, and could fully hear each other and each other’s differences. This reduced hierarchies between members, and felt more equal. Building trusting relationships is very important for achieving a Just Transition.
Key takeaways for policymakers:
Social innovation is essential. Policy often funds tech and novelty, but we also need spaces that build trust and emotional infrastructure.
Let go of control. It’s uncomfortable but necessary. Real participation means surrendering tight agendas and allowing emergent intelligence to lead.
Invest early in relationships. It’s cheaper, and fairer, than patching up broken policies later.
Respect difference. Don’t flatten or polarise it. Let it sit in the room and be held.
Ultimately, if we want a Just Transition, we need just processes. The Democratic Listening Circle isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a start. It creates the conditions where people feel safe enough to tell the truth and be changed by hearing each other.
The lessons from the Democratic Listening Circles have implications for policymakers. Jack, Emilia, and the Just Transition authors shared the importance of slowing down, building relationships, and respecting differences. The Democratic Listening Circles are a first step in creating safe spaces where people can be heard.